Royal Ploughing Day, held on 17 May, marks the start of the rice planting season in Thailand, but researchers say El Niño could hurt rice output.
LEGOLAND® School Challenge 2023 Opens to ASEAN Countries, Calls for Students to Build Cities of The Future
Students from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines to compete for recognition & attractive prizes worth SGD30,000 from LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort
- LEGOLAND School Challenge expands its region to include students from ASEAN countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines.
- Schools and winning teams will be credited, and entries will be displayed at LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort.
- The Competition hopes to instill a lifelong learning mindset through STEM approach that reinforces teamwork, critical thinking, problem-solving and self-confidence.
JOHOR BAHRU, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach – 18 May 2023 – LEGOLAND® School Challenge (the “Competition”), created and organised by LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort, is back in its second iteration.

This year, LEGOLAND School Challenge expands its region to include students from ASEAN countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines.
Open to students from 7 to 12 and 13 to 17 years old in two categories, the Competition aims to unleash their imagination to create worlds of their dreams with LEGO®. The theme for this year’s competition is Cities of The Future. Schools and winning teams will be credited, and entries will be displayed at LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort.
LEGOLAND School Challenge is created based on LEGO’s DNA of learning through play. The Competition hopes to instill a lifelong learning mindset through STEM approach that reinforces teamwork, critical thinking, problem-solving and self-confidence.
“Last year, the inaugural LEGOLAND School Challenge received participation from over 205 groups from schools in Malaysia. We are encouraged by the support. This year, we have expanded to include schools from the region,” shares Mr. CS Lim, Divisional Director, LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort. “We are confident that play has the power to change lives and that LEGOLAND School Challenge can inspire our builders of tomorrow to see a future they can shape.”
Supported by the Ministry of Education Malaysia (MoE), LEGOLAND School Challenge is now recognised as a part of the official extracurricular program in Malaysia.
The Competition is also made possible by Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), Johor Tourism, Johor State Education Department, and Iskandar Investment Berhad (IIB).
LEGOLAND School Challenge
Theme: Cities of The Future
Categories: 7 to 12, and 13 to 17 years old
Registration Period: Now till 26 May 2023
Submission Period: 19 June to 7 July 2023
Visit official LEGOLAND School Challenge webpage to register.
Hashtag: #LEGOLANDMalaysia #LSC2023
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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort
LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort brings together a LEGOLAND Theme Park, Water Park, Hotel and SEA LIFE in one LEGO® themed location. It is the ideal family holiday destination with more than 80 hands-on rides, slides, shows, and attractions. It is the first of its kind in Asia that offers comprehensive adventure, education, and fun for either an action-packed day trip or a short break destination ideal for families with kids aged 2 to 12 years old.
The Theme Park is divided into eight themed areas containing thrilling rides, exciting LEGO workshops, awe-inspiring Miniland where Asia’s interesting landscapes, countries and landmarks are recreated in miniature made with more than 30 million LEGO bricks. The Water Park is the largest LEGOLAND Water Park in Asia which features 20 unique slides, waves, wade pools, interactive water-play structure and Build-A-Raft River.
LEGOLAND Hotel Malaysia is the first LEGO themed hotel in Asia. Choose your preferred theme room at a hotel all equipped with LEGO theming elements, giving you choices to be trained like a NINJA, playing pirate, commanding a Kingdom or embarking on an adventure option. All rooms include a king-sized bed for parents and a separate private sleeping area for 3 kids. Participate in our in-room treasure hunt activity and stand a chance to win cool LEGO gifts.
SEA LIFE is the world’s largest international aquarium brand with more than 50 outlets in the world and it is the latest addition to LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort. This attraction will immerse all guests in an intimate and interactive journey underneath the waves. All visitors will have chance to enjoy up-close experiences with sea creatures and be inspired to learn more about our blue planet’s invaluable natural marine assets through magical storytelling, interactive displays and hands-on encounters. SEA LIFE Malaysia has more than 25 display tanks in 11 habitat zones featuring 13,000 amazing sea creatures. The Malaysian Rainforest is one of the unique exhibit zones featuring local creatures in Malaysia. Don’t miss this special zone where you can never find it in other SEA LIFE attractions.
Laos Economy to Grow by 4.5% in 2023, Say Researchers
Researchers in Laos are optimistic and predict that the economy may grow up to 4.5% this year.
Crowned the Auto-Focus Champion among LCD Projectors, the Wanbo NEW T2 Max Arrives in Magnificent Splendour Following a Comprehensive Upgrade.

In the face of the rapid advancement of the intelligent product industry, traditional projectors can no longer satisfy the demands of the contemporary youth. Numerous projector brands have begun to venture into the realm of compact, portable projectors, shattering the traditional projector’s image of being cumbersome and inflexible. This has endowed projectors with the virtues of compactness and portability, leading to a more diverse array of application scenarios.
Wanbo NEW T2 Max perpetuates its commitment to innovation and transcendental experiences. It takes minimalistic aesthetics to new heights, marrying intricate craftsmanship and high performance under the banner of lightness and an extraordinary experience, thereby enhancing structural aesthetics. Each unit is assembled in a professional dust-free workshop, complying with rigorous anti-dust standards. It undergoes over 1000 repetitions of AI auto-focus functionality, 1200+ interface insertion/removal tests, 400+ lens transparency tests, over 20000 hours of comprehensive lifespan testing, 1000+ IP5X dust resistance tests, and over 300 drop tests before it reaches the consumer.
The Wanbo NEW T2 Max features a comprehensive upgrade in brightness, which has been dramatically boosted to 450 ANSI. This is an impressive 80% increase compared to its predecessor, the T2 Max. Coupled with HDR10 decoding, the enhancement effectively boosts contrast, colour saturation, and results in a clear, natural image with a more nuanced contrast between light and dark. The projector uses a high-transparency optical lens with five layers of light concentration, greatly increasing the light transmittance. This effectively prevents defocusing and running focus, delivering a visibly pure image that offers higher contrast and sharpness, along with more naturally transparent colour saturation. Furthermore, the Wanbo NEW T2 Max possesses a 1080P physical resolution and supports 4K. Its professional image quality engine automatically calibrates to provide a striking visual experience, replete with intricate clarity. It can automatically and real-time reshape image details, restoring true colours.
Acclaimed as the champion of auto-focus among LCD projectors, the Wanbo NEW T2 Max is now equipped with Wanbo’s self-developed AI intelligent algorithm. With a casual placement and a simple power-on, it achieves automatic focusing, liberating your hands and granting you a head start in the cinematic experience. Enjoy high-definition projection effortlessly, and immerse yourself in an awe-inspiring visual universe at a single touch! The projector has a new noise-reduction duct for quieter operation, featuring a dual vortex for low-noise performance, silently safeguarding your viewing time. The built-in low-noise dual cyclone air-cooling system swiftly dissipates heat, while the intelligent constant temperature system in its smart heat insulation design ensures efficient cooling, thereby extending its lifespan. Upon booting, the Android 9.0 system provides a clean and simple interface, making operations more straightforward and smooth. With abundant free film and television resources and captivating videos at your disposal, it is an experience not to be missed.
With the easing of the pandemic, competition within the intelligent projector industry has intensified. Only through innovative endeavours supplemented by high-quality products can a brand journey farther. In response, Wanbo has introduced its groundbreaking upgraded product—the Wanbo NEW T2 Max—which features enhancements in image quality, sound quality, and intelligence. It is foreseeable that the price of the Wanbo NEW T2 Max will be set within a range acceptable to a broad populace of consumers, thus granting more individuals the opportunity to savour the sublime viewing experience that a high-quality projector can provide.
According to official sources, the newly upgraded Wanbo NEW T2 Max will be making its grand debut on LAZADA, SHOPEE, and Amazon on May 25th. Let’s eagerly anticipate its arrival.
Hashtag: #Wanbo
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
RGE, the first foreign enterprise in China to secure a sustainability-linked syndicated loan
- The RMB 1 billion SLL also represents the first in the Chinese pulp and paper industry
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 18 May 2023 – Royal Golden Eagle (“RGE”), a global group of resource-based manufacturing companies, has announced that its member company Asia Symbol (Shandong) Pulp and Paper Co., Ltd. (“Asia Symbol“) – a world leading producer of pulp and paper – has signed a first-of-its-kind sustainability-linked loan (“SLL“) of RMB 1 billion with a consortium of several Chinese banks. Led by the Agricultural Bank of China, the consortium includes the Export-Import Bank of China, Bank of Communications and China Merchants Bank.

Representing the first in the Chinese domestic pulp and paper industry, Asia Symbol’s latest SLL will play an important role in promoting the development of the Chinese real economy through innovative green financing. It also supports the Chinese government’s aim to achieve its national “dual carbon” goals.
Interest rates for the SLL will be tied to five key performance indicators (KPIs) – reduction of atmospheric pollutant emissions and water consumption, improvement in water recycling rate and alkaline recovery rate, as well as creation of new job opportunities. A reputable third-party environmental certification agency will issue a certification report and verify the annual assessment results. Asia Symbol will benefit from lower interest rates if it meets the specific and measurable KPIs in the agreement within the next three years.
At the signing ceremony, Mr. Jun Yang, Vice President, Investment Banking Department of the Agricultural Bank of China said that the SLL has a clear positioning and efficient execution. The KPIs were designed based on three sustainable development directions, namely clean production, circular economy and social responsibility. The SLL created a “double firsts” record of a foreign-funded enterprise securing a SLL from a consortium of Chinese banks; it is also the first SLL in the domestic pulp and paper industry. Mr. Yang added that the Agricultural Bank of China is fully implementing a green finance strategy.
Mr. Langen Shu, Vice President of RGE, China, said: “RGE has always adhered to sustainable development. RGE China aims to achieve a 30% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030. The green finance strategy of the Agricultural Bank of China is highly consistent with RGE’s ESG business model. Our collaboration underscores the shared commitment to generate high quality and sustainable growth in China. We hope that the SLL can encourage more partnerships between banks and corporates and provide a viable model for the sustainable transformation of traditional industries.”
Among the first non-property corporates in Singapore to tap the growth of SLLs, RGE has been making notable progress in moving the bulk of its financing to green and sustainable ones. In 2022, RGE raised a total of US$1.6 billion in SLLs for its various business groups. RGE utilises the SLLs to crystalise its sustainability KPIs while lowering the cost of financing upon achieving the KPIs that are tied to the SLL. In 2022, RGE raised its first green loan as well as carbon asset backed financing in China which was also the first foreign-owned carbon finance deal in the country. The support from RGE’s banking partners have shown their recognition that it is possible for resource-based businesses to produce from the land and protect it, with positive results for business and nature. Specific and measurable ESG targets are embedded in the SLL terms to align with banks on a common sustainability journey.
Hashtag: #RGE
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About RGE
RGE, headquartered in Singapore, is a group of resource-based manufacturing companies with global operations. We produce sustainable natural fibres, edible oils, green packaging and clean natural gas used to create products that feed, clothe and energise the world. We help improve billions of peoples’ lives through sustainable products they use every day. With more than US$30 billion in assets and 60,000 employees, we are creating a more recyclable, biodegradable and lower carbon future.
Committed to sustainable development, conservation and community development, we strive towards what is good for the community, good for the country, good for the climate, good for the customer, and good for the company. With current operations spanning across Indonesia, China, Brazil, Spain and Canada, we continue to expand and engage new markets.
About Asia Symbol (Shandong) Pulp and Paper Co., Ltd.
Asia Symbol (Shandong) Pulp and Paper Co., Ltd. is the largest modern pulp & paper producer in China, also is the largest pulp producer, operating the largest single pulp line in the world, with leading advanced process, technology and environmental performance, is the benchmarking enterprise of industrial upgrading, technological progress, green development among the pulp and paper industry.
Opening of 7-Eleven in Laos Evokes Mixed Response Among Netizens
The construction team behind the first 7-Eleven in Laos went viral on social media last week after showing pictures of the location of their construction site.
Laos-Vietnam Friendship Hospital Opens in Xieng Khouang
The Laos-Vietnam Friendship Hospital, built with financial aid from the Vietnamese government with a construction cost of USD 21.3 million, opened in Xieng Khouang province on Wednesday.
Myanmar and Bangladesh Begin Cleaning Up, Counting Casualties After Devastating Cyclone Mocha

BANGKOK (AP) — Recovery efforts were underway Tuesday in Myanmar and Bangladesh after a powerful cyclone smashed into their coastlines, causing widespread destruction and at least 21 deaths, with hundreds of others believed missing.